Moving a Mini proves no small matter

Trying to move a Mini into the Westpac Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin, yesterday for the stage show The...
Trying to move a Mini into the Westpac Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin, yesterday for the stage show The Full Monty are (from front) Mike Carruthers, Digby Robinson and Bruce Collier. Photo by Craig Baxter.
It seemed like a simple request - to use a real car on stage for the "suicide" scene in the Dunedin stage production of The Full Monty.

Until the cast tried to make it a reality.

Even by choosing a small car, a $100 Mini bought on the Internet, the job was going to be problematic, given the restricted access to the Westpac Mayfair Theatre stage.

Producer and actor Chris Fennessy said the director wanted a real car for the scene of the Broadway musical adaptation of the award-winning film, and it had to be in place by today, so the technical checks could start for next week's opening.

Yesterday, five cast members and theatre manager Bruce Collier rolled up their sleeves to push, pull, lift and shove the Mini down stairs, through a hall and doorway - with only 5mm to spare - into the orchestra pit and on to the stage.

After much head scratching and advice from passers-by, the crew finally got the Mini moving and into the orchestra pit, but had to call for reinforcements to lift it on to the stage.

"It was hard work," Fennessy said.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement